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https://hdl.handle.net/2144/26927

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer has historically been a major cause of mortality for women worldwide. Over the last 50 years, thanks to advances in screening technologies and the implementation of standardized management algorithms, the incidence of cervical cancer in the United States has been declining.
LITERATURE REVIEW: In the most recent set of algorithms, the 2012 Updated Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening Tests and Cancer Precursors, the authors conclude that there is high-level evidence to support extended screening intervals for women who are at average-risk for cervical cancer and who have a history of negative screening tests. However, there is large population of women with a history of abnormal screening tests, and their risk of recurrent disease is not well understood. Additionally, the predictive value of the available screening tests for this cohort of women is unknown. The authors of the 2012 Guidelines warn that there is insufficient evidence for optimal management of these women, the current guidelines are based on expert opinion only, and studies providing high-level evidence are lacking.
PROPOSED PROJECT: This thesis proposes a systematic literature review of the existing evidence regarding to what extent women who are treated for cervical abnormalities at baseline are at an increased risk for persistent or recurrent disease in the future. Journal articles will be gathered from three different databases and abstracts will be screened for duplicity and relevancy. After article selection, the quality of evidence presented in each paper will be evaluated using the GRADE system to facilitate a methodical and accurate comparison of the existing evidence. Finally, a scheme for data abstraction from the articles will be outlined.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic literature review will serve multiple purposes, including identifying what research has been done since the latest revision of management guidelines, and aiding in the revision of the algorithms for the population of women who have had abnormal screening test results. It will also identify persistent gaps in the body of knowledge regarding this cohort of patients, and guide the development of additional research studies to fill those gaps.
SIGNIFICANCE: Determining the risk of recurrent disease in women with abnormal cervical cancer screening tests will serve to more optimally manage this cohort of women. This will allow providers to effectively monitor patients for the recurrence of cervical disease, while also minimizing the risks associated with overscreening.